JOB SUMMARY: What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? This is a term appointment not to exceed 13 months with possible extensions up to a total of 4 years without further competition. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Salary: $49,960 (GS-7 Step 01) to $71,932 (GS-8 Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. MAJOR DUTIES: The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in the Midcontinent Region of the USGS provides technical assistance and leadership for addressing health issues involving resources under the Department of the Interior stewardship, fosters partnerships with federal, state, and other agencies to address wildlife health as a component of ecosystem health. The Center investigates infectious diseases and other diseases affecting a broad spectrum of wildlife by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who provide an integrated program of disease diagnosis, field response, technical assistance, research, training, and support services. The Center's research focuses on understanding the ecology of disease to identify the most vulnerable linkages among affected host species, the disease agent, and environmental factors resulting in disease. Our programs aim to use this information to mitigate factors leading to population decline and result the integration of information to develop effective disease prevention and control strategies to assist resource managers improve management of wildlife populations. As a Biological Science Laboratory Technician within the National Wildlife Health Center, some of your specific duties will include: Performs and assists others to perform gross and microscopic examination of wild animal carcasses or tissues to isolate and identify pathogens and parasites in accordance with established technical and quality management procedures. Accurately reports results of examinations in written and electronic format, archives samples, and communicates relevance of new or unusual findings to the lead laboratory technician or laboratory project leader. Conducts laboratory activities and assists to organize daily work loads and resolve administrative concerns. Assists to: provide oversight for additional technical support in the laboratory, including students and developing professionals; maintains stock of laboratory supplies; coordinates equipment repair and certification. Provides summaries of laboratory analyses in oral and written forms for Center meetings, written reports, and manuscripts. Utilizes computer software (e.g. MS-Excel, MS-Access, MS-Word) to record, summarize, and analyze laboratory data. Creates and manages computer files of data collected and other databases in support of laboratory activities. Operates a government owned or leased vehicle in the performance of official duties. Physical Demands: Laboratory and field work require physical coordination and dexterity to conduct precise tasks utilizing delicate adjustments to determine exact measurements. Use of compound microscope and binocular dissecting microscopes scope may be required for extended periods. Laboratory work is conducted under Biological Safety Level-2 or Level-3 conditions with mandatory use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including occasional use of a N-95 or PAPR respirator. Fieldwork may be physically demanding and include walking, bending, climbing, and lifting of equipment/containers up to 35 pounds, sometimes during adverse weather conditions. Lifting of equipment up to 35 pounds may also be required in the laboratory. Work Environment: The work is performed in a laboratory or field environment. Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee may typically wear life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and special organism handling gear. The employee will be required to participate in the Center's Health Monitoring Program and will be required to receive appropriate immunizations. IMPORTANT: Click the 'Apply for this job' button to view a complete job description.
